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This project uses a representative U.S. population sample and Generalized Structural Equation Modeling (GSEM) to explore the deterrence of driving under the influence (DUI) and it's moderation by the differential deterrability of problem and non-problem drinkers. As hypothesized, the results indicate that personal and vicarious experiences with punishment and punishment avoidance were significant predictors of punishment certainty and self-reported DUI. Significant heterogeneity in both the formulation of perceived certainty of punishment and the relationship between this perception and DUI also exists between problem and non-problem drinkers. Most notably, certainty of punishment was a more robust negative predictor of DUI offending for problem drinkers, and prior punishment appears to have little effect on perceptions of punishment certainty for problem drinkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pictorial warning labels (PWLs) featuring narrative content are promising strategies for communicating health risks and motivating behavior change. The objectives of this study were to (1) identify what intrinsic features a PWL must have to be constructed as a narrative and (2) uncover in what ways narrative PWLs are perceived as being (in)effective. Seven online focus groups were conducted via Zoom with moderate and heavy drinkers (n = 30). Participants discussed a series of mockup PWLs designed to communicate the cancer risk of alcohol. The discussion revealed that a static image must include character, causality, and setting to help individuals construct the story. Specifically, the character should be discernible and believable so that individuals can infer risk information. Moreover, the connection between the image and text should imply a causal relationship between alcohol drinking and cancer risks. Lastly, there should be sufficient relevant background or context information. When discussing the label effectiveness, most participants thought narrative PWLs were more effective than graphic, non-narrative PWLs at informing consumers about the cancer risk of alcohol. Their reasoning included narrative PWLs (1) being easy to understand, (2) evoking curiosity and imagination, (3) eliciting sympathy for the character, (4) not causing aversion, and (5) increasing risk perceptions. This study contributes to the narrative persuasion research and offers practical implications for designing image-based narratives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an established resource for people suffering from alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, Bill Wilson, the co‐founder of AA, in his second letter to Jung referred to its low success rate. One evidence‐based alternative, dating back to the 1950s, is the clinical use of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) for treating AUD. Bill Wilson was a strong advocate of using LSD as a preparation for alcoholics who had difficulty grasping the spiritual aspect of the 12‐step programme. Bill Wilson wrote a "secret" four‐page letter to Carl Jung detailing his own use of LSD and the success two psychiatrists in Canada had in treating alcoholics and asked for his advice on using LSD to help alcoholics. Aniela Jaffé, a Jungian analyst and co‐worker of Jung, replied to Wilson on May 29, 1961, "... as soon as Dr. Jung feels better and has enough strength to begin again his mail, I will show it to him." Jung died a week later. This article quotes Jung's previous hostile opinions on psychedelics and asks: Just as Jung overcame his negative views on groups when giving "complete instructions" on extending the 12‐step programme of AA to "general neurotics", might he similarly have changed his mind when he saw the documented success of using LSD with recalcitrant alcoholics? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): In this study, the adjuvant activity of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of propolis was examined on the inactivated herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1). Materials and Methods: BALB/C mice were administered with inactivated (HSV-1; the KOS strain) plus alcoholic and aqueous extracts, followed by assessment of the cellular and humoral immune responses. Results: Alcoholic and aqueous extracts, as an adjuvant, revealed a significant increase in lymphocyte proliferation and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses versus the HSV-1 group. In addition, HSV-1 plus alcoholic extract showed a remarkable increase in IFN-γ cytokine and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio. On the other hand, both alcoholic and aqueous extracts in the HSV-1 vaccine suppressed the IL-4 cytokine response as compared with the HSV-1 vaccine. In addition, HSV-1 plus alcoholic extract showed a significant increment in IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b isotypes as compared with the HSV-1 vaccine. Conclusion: Propolis extracts seem to modulate the immune response against inactivated HSV-1 model and can be used as a suitable vaccine adjuvant or a component of a complex adjuvant against infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Treatment of tuberculosis (TB) infection (TBI) to prevent active TB disease is a key component of the National Strategic Plan to end TB in India, without which the strategies to end TB would be futile. There is a need to rapidly scale up access to effective shorter regimens for tuberculosis preventive treatment (TPT) to a wider set of risk groups. This applies for identifying high-risk groups for TPT expansion. Thus, our aim with this review is to determine the TBI prevalence in different risk groups in India. We searched databases like Embase, Medline, Scopus, and CINAHL for studies published between 2012 and 2023 to estimate TBI in different risk groups in India. The PRISMA guidelines were followed when reviewing the publications, and a predetermined search strategy was used to find relevant sources across various databases. Using MetaXL (MS excel) software, we pooled data based on a random-effects model, along with heterogeneity testing using Cochrane's Q and I2 statistic. A total of 68 studies were included from 10,521 records. TBI pooled prevalence was estimated using the IGRA data, while in the absence of IGRA data, TST data were utilized. The key findings revealed a total of 36% pooled TBI prevalence for all risk factors, 59% among smokers, 53% among diabetics and alcoholics, 48% among malnourished, 47% among contacts of TB patients, 44% among HIV, 36% among pregnant women, 35% among COVID-19 patients, 31% among healthcare workers, 18% among sarcoidosis patients, and 15% among rheumatoid arthritis patients in India. Our review depicted a high TBI burden among groups such as diabetes mellitus, smokers, malnourished, and alcoholics. WHO has yet to recommend for systematic screening and treatment for TBI among these groups for want of evidence which this study provides, highlighting the need to reprioritize the risk groups for tailored TPT strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-drinkers report experiencing stigma, which can act as a barrier to non-drinking. Two studies were undertaken to develop and test a new scale to measure attitudes towards non-drinkers. In Study 1, 29 items were presented to 426 Australian drinkers. In Study 2, the refined 12-item Cheers Attitudes to Non-drinkers Scale (CANS) was presented to 389 drinkers. Alcohol consumption, Harm and the Regan Attitudes towards Non-drinkers Scale (RANDS) were presented for scale validation. Exploratory factor analysis revealed three factors representing the Threats to Fun, Connection and Self that drinkers perceive non-drinkers to pose. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the scale meets the required fit indices and had good reliability (α = 0.842). Evidence of validity was shown through significant correlations with Alcohol Consumption, Harm and the RANDS. These studies show the CANS to be a reliable and valid measure that could be utilised to understand and modify the stigma experienced by non-drinkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent steady demand for products with increased antioxidant properties largely determines the direction of research in the field of creating high‐quality products with increased biological value. Insufficient knowledge of the antioxidant activity and potential biological value of whiskey makes this area of research relevant and in demand. This study presents the results of an analysis of the influence of distillate aging conditions on the phenolic composition and antioxidant capacity of whiskey, obtained using coulometric, chromatographic, and amperometric methods of analysis. During the study, samples of whiskey with increased antioxidant capacity were obtained based on the use of alcoholic extracts of grape stems of the Vitis vinifera species. The data obtained as a result of the study can be used in the future both to improve the efficiency of methods for monitoring and regulating the circulation of alcoholic products based on the developed methodology for determining antioxidant capacity and to contribute to the creation of a new type of alcoholic products with an increased content of bioavailable biologically active substances and antioxidant capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: From 1 January 2018, the number of retail hours for the sale of alcohol was reduced from 14 to 5 hours on Sundays and from 14 to 10 hours on the other days of the week in Lithuania. The significant reduction of hours for the sale of alcohol on Sundays may have affected the distribution of alcohol-attributable deaths during the week. This study aimed to examine the change in the weekly pattern of alcohol-attributable male mortality before and after imposing limits on the hours when alcohol can be sold. Methods: Age-standardised male death rates by days of the week were calculated for four groups according to cause of death: alcohol poisoning (X45), all external causes of death (V01–Y98), diseases of the circulatory system (I00–I99) and all other causes of death. We compared age-standardised death rates for two periods: before (2015–2017) and after (2018–2019) the intervention. Mortality and population data were obtained from the Lithuanian Institute of Hygiene and Human Mortality Database. Results: We found that during 2018–2019, earlier observed peak in age-standardised death rates for external causes of death on Sunday diminished, and this day no longer differed from the weekly average. The same tendency was also observed for the Monday excess mortality due to circulatory diseases. Conclusions: The reduction of the hours when alcohol can be sold from the beginning of 2018 was associated with a change in a weekly pattern of alcohol-attributable male mortality. However, more studies are needed to examine the causes of the change in mortality pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH) is a serious condition with few treatments. By modifying the gut–liver axis, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was proposed as a treatment for SAH. The purpose of this meta‐analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of FMT versus the standard of care (SOC) in improving SAH patient survival rates. Methods: A thorough search of electronic databases was conducted till September 2023. The survival rates of SAH patients undergoing FMT versus SOC were compared. Using Review Manager 5.4, odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results: The meta‐analysis consisted of six studies with a total of 371 patients with SAH. Patients who received FMT had significantly higher survival rates at 1 and 3 months compared to those who received SOC, with pooled OR of 2.91 (95% CI: 1.56–5.42, P = 0.0008) and 3.07 (95% CI: 1.81–5.20, P < 0.0001), respectively. However, the survival advantage disappeared after 6 months (OR: 2.96, 95% CI: 0.99–8.85, P = 0.05) and 1 year of follow‐up (OR: 1.81, 95% CI: 0.44–7.46, P = 0.41). Conclusion: This meta‐analysis highlights the potential of FMT to significantly improve short‐term survival rates in SAH patients. However, the survival benefit did not last 6–12 months. These findings call for additional research into the effectiveness of FMT over the long term, along with strategies for extending the survival benefit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Specific approaches to H2O2 production over a WO3 photocatalyst under visible light irradiation, i.e., (1) no use of a cocatalyst, (2) reaction under an O2 atmosphere, (3) reaction in a high concentration of alcohol, and (4) reaction at 60 °C, were found to be effective for rapid production of 38 mM H2O2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To explore the effect or potential effect of alcohol marketing in people with an alcohol use disorder, in recovery from an alcohol use disorder, and hazardous and harmful drinkers. Methods Relevant literature was identified by searching Medline (OVID), EMBASE (OVID), and PsycINFO (OVID) and relevant websites. Both quantitative and qualitative studies were eligible for inclusion. A narrative approach was used to synthesize the findings. Results The review included 10 studies. Two quantitative and three qualitative studies focused on participants recovering from an alcohol use disorder and five quantitative studies on those with hazardous or harmful consumption levels of alcohol. The effect of alcohol advertising on alcohol use was only assessed in one study, a small experimental study of young adult heavy drinkers, which found no significant association. Studies looking at other outcomes found that people with or at risk of alcohol problems were likely to notice alcohol advertisements and find them appealing, and that advertisements may have an effect on positive alcohol-related emotions and cognitions. Among people in recovery from an alcohol use disorder, findings suggested that there could be an effect on craving, and that alcohol marketing may be perceived to trigger a desire to drink. Conclusions Alcohol marketing is likely to have an effect on alcohol consumption in people with, or at increased risk of, an alcohol problem. Studies have also found that alcohol marketing is perceived to act as a trigger by people in recovery from alcohol problems. Summary A rapid review explored the effect of alcohol marketing in people with an alcohol use disorder, in recovery from an alcohol use disorder, and hazardous and harmful drinkers. The findings of the 10 included studies suggest that an effect of alcohol marketing in these populations is likely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Machine learning methods have been used in identifying omics markers for a variety of phenotypes. We aimed to examine whether a supervised machine learning algorithm can improve identification of alcohol-associated transcriptomic markers. In this study, we analysed array-based, whole-blood derived expression data for 17 873 gene transcripts in 5508 Framingham Heart Study participants. By using the Boruta algorithm, a supervised random forest (RF)-based feature selection method, we selected twenty-five alcohol-associated transcripts. In a testing set (30 % of entire study participants), AUC (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve) of these twenty-five transcripts were 0·73, 0·69 and 0·66 for non-drinkers v. moderate drinkers, non-drinkers v. heavy drinkers and moderate drinkers v. heavy drinkers, respectively. The AUC of the selected transcripts by the Boruta method were comparable to those identified using conventional linear regression models, for example, AUC of 1958 transcripts identified by conventional linear regression models (false discovery rate < 0·2) were 0·74, 0·66 and 0·65, respectively. With Bonferroni correction for the twenty-five Boruta method-selected transcripts and three CVD risk factors (i.e. at P < 6·7e-4), we observed thirteen transcripts were associated with obesity, three transcripts with type 2 diabetes and one transcript with hypertension. For example, we observed that alcohol consumption was inversely associated with the expression of DOCK4 , IL4R , and SORT1 , and DOCK4 and SORT1 were positively associated with obesity, and IL4R was inversely associated with hypertension. In conclusion, using a supervised machine learning method, the RF-based Boruta algorithm, we identified novel alcohol-associated gene transcripts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This exploratory study analyses the interplay between the treatment philosophies of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Relapse Prevention (RP) in personal stories of addiction. While the basic ideas of AA and RP are compatible in many ways, they also carry some fundamental differences. Methods: The data consisted of interviews with 12 individuals recovering from substance use problems, who had experience of both AA and RP. The analysis drew on a dialogical narrative perspective, and the concept polyphony was used to shed light on the interplay between different treatment philosophies in personal stories of relapse. Findings: Although sometimes resulting in incoherence, the treatment philosophies were combined idiosyncratically, in ways that appeared productive for the participants' self-images and recovery journeys. Conclusion: The combination of AA and RP philosophies in narratives of relapse and recovery may reflect a new treatment discourse where individualisation and responsibilisation stand in a complicated relationship with collectivism and surrendering to so-called addicting processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alcoholism associates with increased Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia incidence and mortality. The objective was to compare disease progression, treatment and prognosis of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in alcoholics versus non-alcoholics. Methods: The study design was a multicenter retrospective analysis of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia with 90-day follow-up. Patients were stratified as alcoholics or non-alcoholics based on electronic health record data. Altogether 617 Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia patients were included of which 83 (13%) were alcoholics. Results: Alcoholics, versus non-alcoholics, were younger, typically male and more commonly had community-acquired Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. No differences in McCabe´s classification of underlying conditions was observed. Higher illness severity at blood culture sampling, including severe sepsis (25% vs. 7%) and intensive care unit admission (39% vs. 17%), was seen in alcoholics versus non-alcoholics. Clinical management, including infectious disease specialist (IDS) consultations and radiology, were provided equally. Alcoholics, versus non-alcoholics, had more pneumonia (49% vs. 35%) and fewer cases of endocarditis (7% vs. 16%). Mortality in alcoholics versus non-alcoholics was significantly higher at 14, 28 and 90 days (14% vs. 7%, 24% vs. 11% and 31% vs. 17%), respectively. Considering all prognostic parameters, male sex (OR 0.19, p = 0.021) and formal IDS consultation (OR 0.19, p = 0.029) were independent predictors of reduced mortality, whereas ultimately or rapidly fatal comorbidity in McCabe´s classification (OR 12.34, p < 0.001) was an independent predictor of mortality in alcoholics. Conclusions: Alcoholism deteriorates Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia prognosis, and our results suggests that this is predominantly through illness severity at bacteremia onset. Three quarters of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia patients we studied had identified deep infection foci, and of them alcoholics had significantly less endocarditis but nearly half of them had pneumonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this review was to gain new insight into the rare condition, Austrian syndrome: the triad of endocarditis, meningitis and pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Methods: A systematic review of case reports was conducted using the PRISMA guideline. Cases were rigorously screened to meet a set of well-defined inclusion criteria. Relevant data was aggregated and reported using descriptive statistics. Results: Seventy-one cases from 69 case reports were included in the final review. The mean age was 56.5 years with a male-to-female ratio of 2.4:1. Alcoholism was reported in 41% of patients. Altered mental state (69%) and fever (65%) (mean temperature on admission = 38.9°C) were the commonest presenting symptoms. The mean duration of symptoms before presentation to the hospital was 8 days. The aortic valve was most commonly affected (56%). The mean duration of antibiotic therapy was 5.6 weeks. Seventy percent of patients were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Fifty-six percent of patients had valvular surgery. The average length of stay in the hospital was 36.9 days. Mortality was recorded in 28% of patients. Conclusion: Austrian syndrome is rare but deadly. The true incidence is unknown but is commoner in middle-aged men and in alcoholics. Affected patients are usually critically unwell, often requiring ICU admission and prolonged hospital stays. Treatment is aggressive including prolonged courses of antibiotics and often, surgery. Despite these, the case fatality rate is high, with death occurring in over a quarter of patients. Surgery appears to be associated with better prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Data on the incidence and clinical relevance of gallstones in patients with suspected acute alcoholic pancreatitis are lacking and are essential to minimize the risk of recurrent acute pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of gallstones and the associated rate of recurrent acute pancreatitis in patients with presumed acute alcoholic pancreatitis. Methods: Between 2008 and 2019, 23 hospitals prospectively enrolled patients with acute pancreatitis. Those diagnosed with their first episode of presumed acute alcoholic pancreatitis were included in this study. The term gallstones was used to describe the presence of cholelithiasis or biliary sludge found during imaging. The primary outcome was pancreatitis recurrence during 3 years of follow-up. Results: A total of 334 patients were eligible for inclusion, of whom 316 were included in the follow-up analysis. Gallstone evaluation, either during the index admission or during follow-up, was performed for 306 of 334 patients (91.6%). Gallstones were detected in 54 patients (17.6%), with a median time to detection of 6 (interquartile range 0–42) weeks. During follow-up, recurrent acute pancreatitis occurred in 121 of 316 patients (38.3%), with a significantly higher incidence rate for patients with gallstones compared with patients without gallstones (59% versus 34.2% respectively; P < 0.001), while more patients with gallstones had stopped drinking alcohol at the time of their first recurrence (41% versus 24% respectively; P = 0.020). Cholecystectomy was performed for 19 patients with gallstones (36%). The recurrence rate was lower for patients in the cholecystectomy group compared with patients who did receive inadequate treatment or no treatment (5/19 versus 19/34 respectively; P = 0.038). Conclusion: Gallstones were found in almost one in every five patients diagnosed with acute alcoholic pancreatitis. Gallstones were associated with a higher rate of recurrent pancreatitis, while undergoing cholecystectomy was associated with a reduction in this rate. Almost one in five patients with presumed acute alcoholic pancreatitis have an underlying biliary cause, in addition to their excessive drinking habits, and this has a negative impact on the recurrence of pancreatitis. To prevent the recurrence of pancreatitis, it is important to screen for gallstones and, if found, to perform a cholecystectomy, which is associated with a lower rate of recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aims: The previous recommendations of the German Centre for Addiction Issues (DHS) how to deal with alcohol were based on low-risk drinking limits. The aim of this statement was to update this recommendation. Methods: A narrative review of the current literature on the relationship between alcohol consumption and the development of morbidity and mortality was carried out by a sub-working group of the Scientific Board of Trustees of the DHS. The summary of the evidence and the recommendations derived from it were agreed upon by the entire Board of Trustees and adopted by the DHS Board. Results: A positive relation between alcohol consumption and health, as found in earlier studies, is due to methodological shortcomings. It cannot be concluded from the evidence that alcohol has a health-promoting effect. In addition, available data reveal a linear relationship between alcohol consumption and the development of diseases and premature death. The linear associations between the amount of alcohol consumed and the probability of falling ill or dying apply to common diseases in both men and women. Conclusion: Recommendations based on low-risk drinking quantities can no longer be upheld. Instead, it is recommended to reduce alcohol consumption – regardless of the amount of alcohol drunk. For physical health it is best not to drink alcohol at all. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a novel fluorescent probe DZ was designed by derivatizing from naphthaldehyde and benzoyl hydrazine. The probe exhibited a low detection limit of 1.75×10−8 mol/L for Zn2+ in ethanol systems. Due to its typical aggregation‐induced emission phenomenon, DZ showed exceptional efficacy in detecting the alcoholic strength of Chinese Baijiu, allowing for accurate differentiation between beverages with various alcohol contents in water/ethanol mixtures. In addition, DZ had been successfully utilized for the detection of Zn2+ in both test paper and environmental water samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a form of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) occurring secondary to long-standing heavy alcohol use and is associated with poor outcomes, but the cause-specific risks are insufficiently understood. Between 1997 and 2018, we identified all patients with a first diagnosis of ACM or DCM. The cumulative incidence of different causes of hospitalisation and mortality in the two groups was calculated using the Fine–Gray and Kaplan–Meier methods. A Total of 1,237 patients with ACM (mean age 56.3±10.1 years, 89% men) and 17,211 individuals with DCM (mean age 63.6±13.8 years, 71% men) were identified. Diabetes (10% vs 15%), hypertension (22% vs 31%), and stroke (8% vs 10%) were less common in ACM than DCM, whereas obstructive lung disease (15% vs 12%) and liver disease (17% vs 2%) were more prevalent (p<0.05). Cumulative 5-year mortality was 49% in ACM vs 33% in DCM, p<0.0001, multivariable adjusted hazards ratio 2.11 (95% confidence interval 1.97–2.26). The distribution of causes of death was similar in ACM and DCM, with the predominance of cardiovascular causes in both groups (42% in ACM vs 44% in DCM). 5-year cumulative incidence of heart failure hospitalisations (48% vs 54%) and any somatic cause (59% vs 65%) were also similar in ACM vs DCM. At 1 year, the use of beta blockers (55% vs 80%) and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (3% vs 14%) were significantly less often used in ACM vs DCM. Patients with ACM had similar cardiovascular risks and hospitalisation patterns as other forms of DCM, but lower use of guideline-directed cardiovascular therapies and greater mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper offers a systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies on the main twelve-step mutual-help (TSMH) groups (excluding Alcoholics Anonymous) and four meta-analyses exploring the correlation between (i) duration or involvement in TSMH groups and; (ii) severity of symptoms or quality of life. Systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Searches of databases (MEDLINE, PsychInfo), a register (ClinicalTrials) and citations were conducted, from inception through November 01 2022. Fifty five articles were included (24 quantitative, 27 qualitative, 4 mixed-methods), corresponding to 47 distinctive studies. 68% of these studies were conducted in North America, 17% in Middle East, 11% in the European Union and 4% in Australia. The most studied TSMH group were Gamblers Anonymous (28% of the 47 studies), Narcotics Anonymous (26%), Double Trouble in Recovery (15%), Overeaters Anonymous (19%) and TSMH groups for compulsive sexual behaviors (11%). The four meta-analyses pooled data from 9 studies. Pooled mean age ranged from 36.5 to 40.5. 80–81% of participants were male. TSMH attendance and involvement were negatively correlated with severity of symptoms (high and medium levels of evidence) and positively correlated with quality of life (low levels of evidence). Twenty-one qualitative papers reported factors influencing recovery: Social (n = 15), emotional (n = 9), spiritual (n = 8), self-identification or psychological (n = 6) factors. Review provides characteristics of TSMH groups others than Alcoholics Anonymous, with implications for both research and healthcare practice. The perspective to implement TSMH groups targeting ontological addiction, at the root of all addiction, is discussed. Protocol registration: Prospero registration number: CRD42022342605. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Alcoholic hepatitis is a major health problem which carries a high mortality despite treatment. Predicting severity of disease is of utmost importance to avoid overzealous and unnecessary treatment with steroids in each and every case. Maddrey’s discriminant function (DF) may not always be reliable in predicting such prognosis. Aim of the Study: To observe the predictive ability of Glasgow alcoholic hepatitis score (GAHS), age, bilirubin, international normalized ratio (INR) and creatinine (ABIC) score, model for end stage liver disease (MELD) score, and Lille’s score in determining the prognosis in severe alcoholic hepatitis. Materials and Methods: Patients of severe alcoholic hepatitis were enrolled in this study as per inclusion and exclusion criteria and a DF score of >32. Once the decision to initiate corticosteroids was made, DF scores, MELD scores, GAHS scores, and ABIC scores were calculated on the day on initiation of therapy. On day 7, patients were re‑assessed and Lille score was calculated in addition. Follow‑up was obtained on repeat out‑patient visit or telephonically after every 2 weeks till 90 days or till mortality, whichever occurred first. Statistical Analysis: The scores were compared among the survival and mortality groups to see association between mortality and severity of scores using Chi‑square test of significance. Cut‑offs providing a composite of best sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value were derived on the basis of data of our study. P value of ≤ 0.05 was taken as a cut‑off for significance. Results: Our study comprised 30 patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis. At the end of 90‑day follow‑up, 23 patients survived with 7 (23%) mortalities because of liver failure and sepsis. On day 7, barring the ABIC score (0.713), the areas under curve of all scores were above 0.8 and were hence of comparable efficacy. Lille score performed the best at assessing treatment response but had the limitation of not being applicable at day 1. Conclusion: Severe alcoholic hepatitis carries a bad prognosis. Cut‑offs of DF and MELD need to be raised, whereas they need to be lowered in the case of GAHS, ABIC, and Lille score to improve the predictive value of score. Steroid‑treated patients should be evaluated preferably with Lille score for a better prediction of survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Optimal treatments for severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH) remain controversial. Previous network meta-analysis showed that corticosteroid (CS) combined with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was superior in reducing short-term mortality of patients with SAH. Recently, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) treatments for SAH yielded promising results. Objectives: To determine how currently available treatments affect the survival and complications of patients with SAH. Methods: The study was conducted following the guidelines of PRISMA. The data from PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and clinicaltrials.gov to October 2022 were searched, and patients with SAH with pharmacotherapy were included in our study. The primary outcome was short-term survival, and the other outcomes were medium- (3/6 months) or long-term (12 months) survival and complications after treatment. R software was used to establish network meta-analysis models and the result was expressed by the odd ratio (OR) value and 95% credible interval (Crls). Results: A total of 31 randomized controlled trials, including 19 treatment regimens, were enrolled in our study. As the primary outcome, G-CSF+ pentoxifylline (PTX) ranked first in one-month survival and showed significant superiority when compared with the placebo (OR 8.60, 95% Crls 1.92–45.10) and CS (OR 4.95, 95% Crls 1.11–25.53). Also, G-CSF+PTX ranked first in improving three-month survival and reducing the occurrence of infection. PTX+MTD ranked first in six-month survival, and G-CSF ranked first in twelve-month survival. CS+MTD ranked first in the occurrence of gastrointestinal bleeding and hepatorenal syndrome. Conclusions: The combination of G-CSF and PTX showed a significant benefit in improving the short-term survival of SAH patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This cross-sectional study of young adults examined associations of hangover remedy use with alcohol use problems. Results suggest that ever-use of hangover remedy products was positively associated with alcohol use problem score, drinks per typical drinking day, and alcohol use disorder symptom count. Use of hangover remedies among young adults merits further scientific and regulatory attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims The central aim of this study was to determine whether intentional, voluntary alcoholics anonymous (AA) participation showed any independent association with affect, over and above that which has been observed in association with other recovery-related behaviors, such as abstinence, among individuals with a history of alcohol use disorder. Additionally, we sought to determine the nature of the affective changes associated with specific dimensions of AA participation (i.e. meeting   attendance , fellowship   involvement , 12-step   work). Methods Thirty abstinent alcohol use disorder individuals were recruited and evaluated. Multivariate linear regressions were used to examine associations between dimensions of AA participation, measured using the Multidimensional Mutual-Help Assessment Scale and standardized measures of affective experiences, including the Profile of Mood States, Subjective Happiness Scale, and the Twelve Promises Scale. Results and Conclusions Increase in AA participation was associated with higher positive affective experiences. These associations were observed independently with AA meeting   attendance and fellowship   involvement , but not 12-step work. This study's findings suggest that greater AA meeting   attendance and fellowship   involvement are correlated with enhancements in the meta-emotional experience of personal meaningfulness. This study extends evidence on AA-related changes by considering affective improvements as a primary clinical outcome, thereby laying the foundation for subsequent, more comprehensive research into the relationship between dimensions of AA participation and recovery-related affective changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-temperature mechanical chemical devulcanization is a process that can produce reclaimed rubber with exceptional mechanical properties. However, the inadequacy and low efficiency of the devulcanization have significantly restricted its application. To address the issues, alcoholic amines, including hydroxyethyl ethylenediamine (AEEA), ethanolamine (ETA), and diethanol amine (DEA), are utilized as devulcanizing agents to promote the devulcanization process. Careful characterizations are conducted to reveal the devulcanizing mechanism and to depict the performances of reclaimed rubbers. Results show that the amine groups in the devulcanizing agents can react with sulfur after the crosslink bonds are broken by mechanical shear force, thus blocking the activity of sulfur and introducing hydroxyl groups into the rubber chains. The incorporation of alcoholic amines can enhance the devulcanizing degree and devulcanizing efficiency, reduce the Mooney viscosity, and improve the mechanical and anti-aging performance. When using DEA as the devulcanizing agent, the sol content of reclaimed rubber increases from 13.1% to 22.4%, the devulcanization ratio increases from 82.1% to 89.0%, the Mooney viscosity decreases from 135.5 to 83.6, the tensile strength improves from 14.7 MPa to 16.3 MPa, the retention rate of tensile strength raises from 55.2% to 82.6% after aging for 72 h, while the devulcanization time is shortened from 21 min to 9.5 min, compared with that without using alcoholic amines. Therefore, alcoholic amines exhibit remarkable advantages in the devulcanization of waste rubber, thus indicating a promising direction for the advancement of research in the area of waste rubber reclamation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to identify potential homogeneous subgroups of college students based on their drinking patterns and then compare them on demographics, anxiety, depression, perceived stress, and resilience. Methods: Participants (N = 1282; 80% females) were recruited among college students during lockdown in the COVID-19 pandemic in Slovakia. The mean age of participants was 22.06 years. They completed an online survey consisting of a battery of questionnaires measuring psychopathology. The Latent Class Analysis (LCA) on Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) items was utilized to estimate different drinking subgroups among college students. These subgroups were then compared on demographic and psychopathological characteristics using one-way ANOVA. Results: The LCA estimated three subgroups: light drinkers (55.2%), at-risk drinkers (35.4%), and problem drinkers (9.4%). Problem drinkers had the highest levels of perceived stress, depression, and anxiety as well as the lowest resilience. Conclusion: Participants with problem drinking profile differed from at-risk drinking students mainly by the consequences of drinking and the frequency of binge drinking. The differences between the findings of the present study and previous research could be attributed to some extent to the situation associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic at the time of data collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: To evaluate preclinical left ventricular dysfunction with Doppler and twodimensional echocardiography in long-term asymptomatic alcohol consumer. To establish a correlation between potential variations and the amount of alcohol consumed. Methods: A observational study was carried out at Department of General Medicine, Aditya Hospital, Jangaon, Telangana India from January 2023 to December 2023 after informed consent signed from 60 subject to assess the ventricular function in chronic asymptomatic alcoholism. Results: Alcoholics had a considerably greater mean end diastolic volume index (p<0.001) than controls. The mean ejection fraction did not differ statistically significantly between the two groups. Alcoholics had a statistically substantially higher estimated mean left ventricular mass index (p<0.001). Alcoholics had considerably longer isovolumic relaxation times and early transmitral flow velocity deceleration times than controls (p<0.001). Conclusion: The consumers displayed characteristics of maintained ejection fraction along with reduced left ventricular relaxation. Increased left ventricular mass, posterior wall thickness, and increased left ventricular chamber volume in diastole were the abnormalities seen in alcoholics by 2-D and M-mode echocardiography. Prolonged isovolumic relaxation and deceleration times, higher peak late transmitral flow velocities, and decreased E/A ratios were the anomalies in the Doppler parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) poses a medical challenge, causing moderately severe to life-threatening episodes with high short- and long-term mortality. This study aimed to explore real-world corticosteroid utilization in severe AH, response predictors, and patient outcomes. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on patients admitted for severe AH, defined as a Maddrey Discriminant Function score equal to or above 32, at a tertiary care center. We reviewed patients' medical observation charts to identify corticosteroid prescriptions, reasons for ineligibility, and response rates. Responders were defined based on the Lille score, and predictors of non-response were identified. Short-term (one-month) and long-term (one-year) mortality rates were calculated according to treatment and response. Results: Out of 310 patients enrolled with severe AH, 59% received corticosteroids, achieving a response rate of 75.4%. The reasons for not administering corticosteroids were as follows: uncontrolled infections (27.6%), renal dysfunction (20.4%), gastrointestinal bleeding (18.9%), acute pancreatitis (7.1%), uncontrolled diabetes (3.1%), and other or unknown causes (22.8%). The overall 1-month mortality rate was 12.2%, higher in non-responders (35.3%) and patients who did not receive corticosteroids (13.4%) compared to responders (3.6%). The overall 1-year mortality rate was 62.5%, similar between patients who did not receive corticosteroids (78.7%) and non-responders (77.7%) and higher compared to responders (42.8%). Predictive factors for non-response included older age (OR = 1.05, 95%CI: 1.01–1.08), concomitant cirrhosis (OR= 2.11, 95% CI: 1.064–4.20), MELD scores exceeding 30 (OR = 2.42, 95% CI: 1.21–4.80), severe hypoalbuminemia (OR = 2.46, 95%CI: 1.12–5.37), and increased serum creatinine (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1–2.03). Among the prognostic scores, MELD 3.0 score exhibited superior efficacy for short-term (AUC = 0.734, 95% CI 0.656–0.811) and long-term mortality (AUC = 0.777, 95% CI: 0.724–0.830) compared to alternative scoring systems. Conclusions: Low eligibility rate and poor prognosis underscore the need for effective therapies. Our findings contribute to refining risk stratification and early prediction of non-response, aiding clinicians in identifying more beneficial therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bruxism, a common oral parafunctional behavior characterized by the grinding or clenching of teeth, is a multifactorial condition with potentially detrimental effects on oral health and overall well-being. In recent years, there has been growing interest in understanding the relationship between bruxism and alcohol abuse, as both are prevalent issues that may share underlying factors and exacerbate each other. This systematic review, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, aims to evaluate the frequency of bruxism among individuals with alcohol abuse. Methods: A comprehensive search of electronic databases, including PubMed, Lilacs, Scopus and Web of Science, will be conducted to identify relevant studies published up to the knowledge cutoff date in January 2023. The search strategy will include keywords related to bruxism, alcohol abuse, and their synonyms. Inclusion criteria will encompass original research studies, such as observational, cross-sectional, cohort, and case-control studies, as well as clinical trials, that examine the relationship between bruxism and alcohol abuse. Two independent reviewers will perform the study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment, with discrepancies resolved by consensus. Results: The systematic review will present a summary of the identified studies, including the study design, characteristics of the study populations, and key findings related to the association between bruxism and alcohol abuse. The potential mechanisms underlying this relationship will also be explored. Subgroup analyses and the quality of evidence will be assessed. Finally, the implications of this association for clinical practice and further research will be discussed. Conclusions: This systematic review will contribute to a better understanding of the interplay between bruxism and alcohol abuse, shedding light on potential risk factors, mechanisms, and clinical implications. The findings may have significant implications for the prevention, management, and treatment of bruxism, particularly in individuals with a history of alcohol abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compares the variability of relative response factors (RRFs) using Taguchi's multifactorial analysis for two internal standard (IS) methods in gas chromatography (GC) for quality control of alcoholic products. Methods where either ethanol or pentan‐1‐ol was used as an IS were compared. For ten volatile substances prescribed by legislation, the RRFs of both methods were compared under 27 different experimental conditions. The influence of parameters (control factors) such as ethanol content in the matrix, analyte concentration, injected volume, injector temperature, split ratio, and flame ionization detector temperature was evaluated. The selected control factors had values at one of the three levels to cover the commonly used ranges of their settings in the measuring system and to characterize the majority of alcoholic products commonly analyzed in practice. The obtained results showed that the biggest differences in the variability of the results between the two methods were found for the most strictly controlled substances in alcoholic products, acetaldehyde, and methanol, where the application of ethanol as an IS provides clearly better results. For both methods, the way control factors affect the repeatability of GC measurements expressed in the form of relative deviation was also evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Alcoholism is a severe, disorder that affects; the functionality of neurons in the central nervous system and leads to the loss of. health and wealth. The suggested technique applies statistical and fractal dimension (FD) features to classify alcoholic and normal subjects using eight channels under an SF-based machine learning architecture. Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals are placed in a framework and separated into different EEG bands using an orthogonal wavelet filter. The following three classification approaches are used to classify the alcoholic and normal patterns of EEG data: least-square support vector machine, vector machine (SVM), and Naïve Bayesian. Results showed that the best classification method was SVM with a sensitivity of 0.9267%, an accuracy of 0.9892%, and a specificity of 0.9916%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Polish Journal of Wound Management / Leczenie Ran is the property of Evereth Publishing Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Alcohol consumption is the world's third largest risk factor for disease and disability; in middle-income countries, it is the greatest risk. Alcohol is attributed to nearly 3.2% of all deaths and results in a loss of 4% of total DALYs. Aim & Objective: 1. To estimate the burden of cardiovascular diseases among the alcoholics; 2. To compare the burden of cardiovascular diseases between alcoholics and non alcoholics. Methods: This study was conducted in the Milaganoor village in South Tamilnadu with alcohol habit; All male with alcohol consuming habit above 13 years of age were included in the study and none were excluded from the study. The data was using a semi structured questionnaire. The data collected were consolidated and analyzed using SPSS software; The descriptive statistics were used in the study. Results: In my study there were 1200 male and 1500 female. In only 900 males were with alcohol habit; 62.2% of the male alcoholics were illiterate; Among alcoholics 46.6% belonged to 31-45 years of age; 25.5% of the people belonged to 15-30 years of age and 15.5% of the alcoholics belonged to 46-60 years of age. On seeing the education of the alcoholics majority of the alcoholics were illiterate and only 25.5% of the alcoholic population were with primary form of education. When seeing the education of the non alcoholics majority i.e. 33.3% of the non alcoholics were with secondary education followed by 26.6% of the non alcoholics were with primary form of education and 16.6% of the alcoholics had higher secondary form of education. It is found that 91 out of 900 alcoholics had history of coronary artery disease whereas only 8 out of 300 non alcoholics population had history of coronary artery disease. From this it is evident that alcoholic has positive correlation and it is statistically significant p-value (0.00082). In the same way congestive heart failure was seen high 45 out of 900 in the alcoholic population when compared to the non alcoholic population 5 out of 300 which is also statistically significant p value (0.019). While studying the systemic hypertension, among alcoholics and non alcoholics it is found that pressure was high among alcoholics 150 out of 900 and only 30 out 300 alcoholics had blood pressure which is also statistically significant p value <0.05. Conclusion: It can be concluded that early age of onset and peer pressure are the alarming challenges for the eradication of this social evil. Low education and having a family history of alcohol use are more at risk to it. Health education is the most required intervention to reduce the burden of alcohol use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aggravating role of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) HOTAIR has been indicated in liver injury caused by hepatic ischemia/reperfusion. However, under the condition of alcoholic hepatitis (AH), its effects remain unclear. The present study aimed to examine the effect of lncRNA HOTAIR on hepatic stellate cell viability and apoptosis during liver injury caused by AH. In the liver tissues of AH rats, HOTAIR and S1PR1 were overexpressed, and microRNA (miR)-148a-3p was poorly expressed. Loss-of-function assays revealed that silencing of HOTAIR alleviated liver injury in AH by inhibiting the activated phenotype of hepatic stellate cells, inflammation, and fibrosis. Using the bioinformatics databases, dual-luciferase, RIP, and FISH assays, we observed that HOTAIR was mainly localized in the cytoplasm of hepatic stellate cells, and HOTAIR could bind specifically to miR-148a-3p. In addition, miR-148a-3p could target S1PR1 expression. Rescue experiments showed that silencing of miR-148a-3p or overexpression of S1PR1 reversed the alleviating effects of HOTAIR silencing on liver injury. Taken together, our findings revealed that HOTAIR regulates hepatic stellate cell proliferation via the miR-148a-3p/S1PR1 axis in liver injury, which may serve as the basis for developing novel therapeutic strategies to treat AH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcohol relapse in those who received liver transplantation (LT) for alcohol‐related liver disease can lead to poor graft function, low medication adherence rates and decreased chances of survival. Numerous studies have evaluated on this topic; however, discrepancies in the meaning and measurement of 'alcohol relapse' lead to heterogeneous results. This scoping review aimed to explore the conceptual and operational definitions of alcohol relapse in LT recipients with alcohol‐related aetiologies and to examine newly reported risk factors of alcohol relapse. Following the Arksey and O'Malley scoping review method and PRISMA guidelines, structured searches for articles published from 2012 to 2022 were conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane and PsycINFO. Twenty‐eight studies were included in the final review. Alcohol relapse was either defined as 'any alcohol consumption' or 'a certain degree of alcohol drinking' after transplantation. Discrepancies in the incidence rates persisted even within studies that shared the same conceptual definition. Commonly reported risk factors for alcohol relapse were younger age, social isolation and shorter abstinence periods before LT. Self‐efficacy and post‐transplant complications were newly identified risk factors in recent studies; whereas environmental factors such as external stressors were rarely included. The variance in the definition of alcohol relapse and inconsistent identification methods make it difficult to organize a structured interventional study. A standardized stratification of post‐LT alcohol relapse behaviour is needed to prior to implementing interventions that employ a harm minimization approach. Cost‐effective interventions promoting self‐efficacy could enable the prevention and management of alcohol relapse after LT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a significant global health concern associated with excessive alcohol consumption. ALD encompasses various liver conditions with complex pathogenesis and progression influenced by environmental, genetic, and epigenetic factors. Alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver (ALC) is particularly prevalent among socially disadvantaged individuals, and current pharmacotherapy options provide limited treatment. This study aims to explore the potential benefits of radio electric asymmetric conveyer (REAC) technology and its tissue optimization reparative treatment (TO-RPR) in managing ALC. The liver possesses remarkable regenerative capabilities closely tied to its bioelectrical properties. REAC TO-RPR is a novel biotechnological therapeutic approach that aims to enhance and expedite reparative processes in injured tissues by restoring disrupted cellular endogenous bioelectric fields. This study seeks to optimize understanding of REAC TO-RPR's impact on liver function and clinical outcomes in ALC patients. By investigating the mechanisms underlying liver's reparative abilities and evaluating the efficacy of REAC TO-RPR, this research aims to address the urgent need for improved interventions in managing ALC. The findings hold potential for developing innovative treatment approaches, improving patient outcomes, and reducing the societal and individual burden associated with ALC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the impact of an alcoholic extract of Citrus aurantium leaves on the mortality percentages in the larvae and pupae of house flies, Musca domistica, and was carried out in the Advanced Entomology Laboratory in the Department of Biology at the Girls College of Education at the University of Kufa in 2022. The results indicated an increase in the mortality percentages of larvae in the first and third stars of the house fly, Musca domistica with increasing concentrations used. In this study, the highest mortality percentages were recorded after three days of treatment with a concentration of 50 mg/ml (100 and 61%) in the first and third instar larvae, respectively. The effect of the alcoholic extract on some biological aspects when treating the third instar larvae of houseflies, as it led to a decrease in pupation percentages to 24% when treating pupae with a concentration of 50 mg/ml, and the pupal deformation percentages to 24% and a decrease in adult emergency percentages to 0% when treating pupae with the alcoholic extract of Citrus aurantium leaves at a concentration of 50 mg/ml, which increased the pupal deformation to 50% and decreased adult emergency percentages to 50%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the successful homogeneous processing of Y 2 O 3 green compacts by pressure-assisted alcoholic slip casting (PASC) method for the preparation of high-quality Y 2 O 3 transparent ceramics. The optimal Y 2 O 3 alcoholic slurry with 1.5 wt% polyethyleneimine as the dispersant and the solid load of 30.69 vol% was employed for PASC. Compared to dry-pressing green compact, PASC-prepared green compact exhibits high homogeneity and sinterability with less microstructural defects, such as large pores or particle agglomeration. Based on these advantages, we successfully prepared transparent Y 2 O 3 ceramic by simply vacuum sintering with low porosity, excellent optical homogeneity, and high in-line transmittance of 80.4% at the wavelength of 600 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The current emphasis among addiction treatment providers is to use person-first language, such as "a person with a substance use disorder," as a way to reduce stigma around addiction and resulting barriers to treatment. This study considers how individuals recovering from substance use feel about the terms "alcoholic" and "addict," particularly how they self-identify and whether they believe the terms carry stigma. Method: Thirty-five individuals were interviewed, recruited primarily, but not exclusively, from 12-step meetings (Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous), from 3 locations throughout a rural New England state. Interviews were transcribed and coded in Atlas Ti qualitative analysis software, and a content analysis of text coded with "stigma" was conducted. Results: Some comments reflected a belief that the terms "addict" and "alcoholic" carry a stigma. However, more comments rejected the notion of these being stigmatized terms; or acknowledged the stigma but reflected the subject's lack of internalizing of any stigma. Comments reflected other themes including a sense of pride, identity and ownership when self-identifying as an addict or alcoholic. Several comments suggested that person-first language is part of a larger movement to "soften everything," without changing the underlying condition (addiction). The findings may reflect the fact that subjects were recruited from 12-step programs, where the convention is to self-identity using the terms "alcoholic" and/or "addict." Conclusions: Some individuals seeking treatment for addiction may prefer self-identifying using old-school terminology (addict, alcoholic) rather than person-first language, for a variety of reasons (eg, they do not internalize the stigma of such terms). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adsorption combustion-type gas microsensors utilizing γ-Al2O3 co-loaded with m wt% noble metal and 10 wt% metal oxide [mN/10MO/γ-Al2O3, N: noble metal (Pd or Pt), MO: metal oxide (CeO2 or Bi2O3)] were fabricated, and their sensor-signal profiles to five types of alcoholic vapor (ethanol, 1-propanol, 1-butanol, 1-pentanol, and 1-hexanol) were investigated and analyzed by differential and integral processing. The sensor-signal profiles largely depended on the types of N and MO as well as the amount of N loaded (m). The dynamic response arises from the flash catalytic combustion of the alcohols at 450 °C and their related components (partially oxidized and/or condensed products) adsorbed at 150 °C on the sensing film, and the 10Pt/10CeO2/γ-Al2O3 and 10Pd/10CeO2/γ-Al2O3 sensors showed the largest dynamic responses to 1000 ppm ethanol and 1-hexanol, respectively, among all the sensors tested. These sensors showed sufficiently large dynamic responses even to 10 ppm alcohols. The differential processing of their sensorsignal profiles was valuable in precisely finding slight changes and differences in their sensing behaviors and providing considerable information for data processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Shipin Kexue/ Food Science is the property of Food Science Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study examines how Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) can be understood as a "lived religion" that seeks to legitimize and moralize certain experiences and beliefs through narratives that are affirmed by the substance abuse recovery community. Through a qualitative analysis of 20 in-depth interviews with both actively recovering and non-actively recovering participants of AA, we identify three distinct moral narratives described by participants related to the construction of spiritual beliefs, individual health, and social belonging that highlight how the structure of AA reifies stories of addiction recovery as morally charged. We contribute to sociology of religion and addiction studies by examining how social and spiritual systems (i.e. systems embodying our complex and multi-faceted social connections to other people and our beliefs and attitudes about powers greater than oneself) orient alcohol addiction recovery within the context of AA support groups. For sociological inquiry more broadly, we show how moral narratives have the power to shift individual understanding of social support, power and self-control, and belonging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rubia cordifolia L., Rubiaceae, is globally reported to treat skin-related problems. The study aimed to assess the antityrosinase potential of Rubia cordifolia (ARC) and the development of gel formulation. Methods: The AutoDock Vina (version V.1.2.0) program package was used for molecular docking to check for the binding affinity of ligands with protein. Response surface methodology (RSM) software was used to optimize extraction parameters for an alcoholic extract of Rubia cordifolia (ARC). The developed HPTLC method for the quantification of purpurin in ARC was validated as per the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. A bioautographic study for the evaluation of antityrosinase effects was performed; an anthraquinone-enriched fraction (AEF)-loaded gel formulation developed and evaluated physicochemically which could be used to reduce skin pigmentation. Results: Purpurin showed optimum binding affinity (-7.4 kcal/mol) with the molecular target (tyrosinase) when compared to that of standard kojic acid (-5.3 kcal/mol). Quantification of purpurin in ARC, optimized by RSM software, was validated and physiologically significant results were observed for the antityrosinase potential of an AEF, along with TLC-MS-bioautographic identification for antityrosinase compounds: purpurin (m/z 256.21) and ellagic acid (m/z 302.19). Evaluation of an AEF-loaded gel formulation by in vitro and ex vivo permeation studies was performed. Conclusion: ARC extraction parameters optimized by RSM, and a bioautographic study helped identify antityrosinase compounds. The development of a gel formulation could be a cost-effective option for the treatment of depigmentation in the future. Highlights: A TLC-MS-Bioautography-based Identification of Antityrosinase Compounds and development of AEF-loaded Topical Gel formulation from a Bioactive Fraction of an RSM-Optimized Alcoholic Extract of Rubia Cordifolia L. stem, which could help with promising results in reducing skin pigmentation and maintaining even tone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study was aimed to evaluate effect of bell pepper alcoholic extract ointment in wound healing of male wistar rats. Twenty for male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four experimental groups. Experimental wound was induced on the anterior dorsal side of each Wistar rat. Group A served as control and received basal formulation ointment. Groups B, C and D received 2 and 4 and 6 percentage of bell pepper alcoholic extract. Wound healing activity as a closure percentage was determined on days five, 15 and 25 post operations. The number of fibroblast and macrophages, collagen deposition and neovascularization were assessed on 4, 8, 15 and 25 days after wound incision. Data showed that the wound area significantly decreased in bell pepper alcoholic extract treated groups compared to control group on days five, 15 and 25 post operations, respectively (P=0.05). Application of bell pepper alcoholic extract, increased fibroblast and macrophages distribution and up regulated the new vessels formation and collagen deposition on days 4, 8, 15 and 25 and 30 after wound induction significantly (P=0.05). In conclusion we suggested that the bell pepper alcoholic extract application at 2, 4, and 6 percentages was useful for wound healing in male Wistar rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electroencephalography (EEG) signals are utilized to examine various pathological as well as physiological brain activities. Alcoholism is an example of a significant behavior that may be investigated and comprehended utilizing electrical brain impulse models. In the area of biomedical research, categorizing alcoholic patients using EEG data is a complicated issue. To overcome this issue, in this research, alcoholic EEG signal classification was performed by various dimensionality reduction techniques like Hilbert Transform, Rigid Regression and Chi Square Probability Density Function. Finally, the Bayesian Linear Discriminant Classifier, Linear Regression, Logistic Regression, Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM), Adaboost, Detrend Fluctuation Analysis, Firefly Algorithm, Harmonic Search Algorithm, and Cuckoo Search Algorithm are employed to classify the dimensionally reduced alcoholic EEG dataset. In addition, we provide an approach for selecting the ideal combination of Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD)-based hyper parameters updation algorithm to improve the accuracy of alcoholic EEG classification in GMM, Firefly, Harmonic Search, and Cuckoo Search classifiers in this study. When dimensionally reduced alcoholic EEG signal features from the Hilbert Transform are used with the SGD with GMM classifier, the results display good accuracy of 96.31%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Harm and offense are two important notions in legal discussions on the extent to which one's freedom may be limited. Prior research on the third-person effect found that perceived media harm on others, not perceived media harm on the self, is a robust positive predictor of support of censoring socially undesirable media content (e.g., pornography). In comparison, how offensiveness perceptions predict censorship support is not clear. Drawing on moral foundations theory, we test here how perceived media offensiveness to the self compared with 1) perceived media offensiveness to others and 2) perceived media harm on others would predict censorship support. Method: We conducted two cross-sectional survey studies in the U.S. to address this question with sexual, alcoholic, and violent media content as test cases. In Study 1 (N = 544 undergraduates), we measured perceived media offensiveness to the self, that to others, and censorship support. In Study 2 (N = 727 non-student adults), we also measured perceived media harm on the self and others. Results: As in prior research, we found that people perceive sexual, alcoholic, and violent media content to harm other viewers more strongly than it harms themselves, and the perception of how much others are harmed predicts perceivers' censorship support. In contrast, while people also perceive the three types of media content to offend other viewers more strongly than they offend the self, the perception of how much others are offended predicts censorship support to a significantly lesser extent or does not predict this at all. Instead, the perception of how much the self is offended does. Discussion: These findings add to the work on moral foundations theory that distinguishes between how the care/harm and sanctity/degradation foundations relate to moral judgments. These findings also suggest that the current theorizing of the third-person effect needs to expand to reconcile the seemingly inconsistent results on how harm and offensiveness perceptions differently relate to censorship support. The care/harm and sanctity/degradation foundations may underlie how harm and offensiveness perceptions predict censorship support. However, several "anomalous" findings need to be accounted for before moral foundations provide a comprehensive explanation of the third-person effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]